Disclaimer: I am only writing this out of my own enjoyment and hope that I don't get sued as I couldn't possibly afford to pay anything right now. (and possibly for the rest of my life) But please note that I did create all the characters with the exceptions of Yue, Kero, and the cards, as well as anyone of the original CCS cast that may be mentioned. Also, the storyline is mine.
Chapter 1
The book
Saino Kioku treads down the silent corridor. As he nears the corner of the corridor, he looks cautiously to see if there is anyone in sight. Seeing nothing, he motions to his partner to come on. They have finally reached the vault they were making their way to. Kioku breathed a sigh of relief. For the past hour they had made their way through the tower, hoping that there were not any guards. If they ever needed to speak to one another, they used the signs that the guild of thieves always used to stay silent and to identify one another.
Kioku was by the door to the vault first. Yuma Sabita was just a moment behind Kioku. They had been best friends for five years. They went with each other on every assignment one of them was given, as often happened. Even though they were still children, they could move around silently with ease.
Kioku has the door to the vault picked quickly and opened it slowly and only enough so that they could get through. Both of them had been in this vault several times before, but everything in the vault kept on going in and going out, but not always with the same people who had it moved in. Kioku and Sabita both looked thoroughly for what they were looking for. While Kioku was looking, he suddenly felt compelled to look at an odd book. There was a seal on it to keep it from being opened. Kioku could read and write very little, all of which Sabita had taught Kioku, even with that, he was still barely able to read what was written on the cover. What Kioku could clearly see was a winged lion on the cover above a sun that's held up by chains.
"I found it!" Sabita cried softly.
Kioku turned his head to Sabita to acknowledge that he heard. When Kioku looked back at the book, the seal was open. It must have been loose, Kioku thought opening it. He gasped when he saw that there were cards in the book. Kioku picked the card on the top of the stack up. It was thicker and heavier than he expected. He looked the card over.
"Kioku! Guards are coming! Should we go out a window?" Sabita asked.
Kioku turned to face Sabita, seeing him pocket an amulet. "No, it's too windy. We should just wait for the guards to pass."
Sabita nodded. Kioku turned his head back to face the book in time to see the card glowing right before a burst of wind came out of the card. Kioku was so startled that he let go of the card, which caused it to shoot through the ceiling with all of the other cards following. Kioku didn't think that it was good for this to be happening. So, Kioku reached for the column of cards shooting out from the book and was barely able to grab the last card.
"What was that?!" Sabita gasped.
"I- I don't know, but I think that even if it's windy out, we should try the window now. Who knows who saw that above us and I don't want to find out." Kioku said shoving the book in the bag w/ the mirror.
When they were certain that the guards had passed, they opened the door to the vault and moved down the corridor to the nearest window. As they were lowering at the windowsill, Kioku saw a boy walking past another corridor near them. Kioku ducked his head quickly, hoping they weren't seen. Sabita quickly followed suit, without asking anything, knowing this isn't the time for pranks.
I knew it was windy, Kioku thought to himself as they descended the wall, trying not to lose their grip, as the wind pulled at them. Kioku often checked their progress by seeing how far away the ground was. Even though it always made his head swim, he knew this was better so they could know if there were soldiers or guards waiting below, which would mean that they had been spotted. When they reached the ground, they made their way to nearby bushes to plan their way out.
"What did you take? " Sabita whispered to Kioku.
"A book. I don't even know what happened to cause all of the cards to do what they did," Kioku replied, just as quietly.
"Let's look at the book. It may tell us more than what we know," Sabita said, opening the bag.
When the bas was opened, a doll flew out of the bag. "Who put me in there!?" the doll demanded.
Kioku and Sabita were dumbstruck. They couldn't even explain where the doll came from. Sabita was the first to recover, as the doll glared at them. "We didn't even know that you were in there. All that we knew were in the bag were a book and mirror."
"This book?" the doll asked, as the book that had contained the cards floated out of the bag.
"Yes. That's the book we put in the bag after the cards flew out of it," Sabita said.
"Wait, the book's different. There used to be a winged lion on it," Kioku said, quickly.
"Wh-," the doll began.
"This must not be an ordinary book," Sabita interrupted. Kioku nodded in reply.
"What do you mean the cards flew out of the book?" the doll cried.
"Quiet!" Sabita snapped. "We can't afford to be loud until we're back at the hideout."
"Who are you?" Kioku asked, while searching for openings in the guards, in which they might be able to sneak through.
"I'm Kereberus. Guardian of the Seal!"
"What seal?" Sabita asked.
"The seal on the Book that keeps the Sakura cards from being released on the world," came the reply.
"Is there nothing we can call you that isn't so long?" Kioku inquired impatiently, putting the book back in the bag.
"My last master called me Kero," Kereberus replied.
"Kioku, we need to go. We can swim through the water gate. The guards have just left that area. If we hurry, we can make it out before they return," Sabita informed Kioku.
"Let's go," Kioku said, then turned to Kero. " Stay quiet, unless you have a death wish, magical doll."
Kero flew into a rage at that, but before he could say anything, Sabita and Kioku were already swimming towards the water gate. Kero hurried after them and finally caught up to them right as they reached the gate.
"We need to dive under the water and you're coming with us, magical doll. You will answer our questions when we get to our shelter for the night," Sabita tells Kero, right before Kioku grabbed Kero and they dove underwater and swam through the gate and the tunnel until they were outside the wall. As soon as they reached the surface, Kioku let go of Kero.
"Why did you do that!?" Kero shrieked.
"Quiet!" Sabita hissed.
"I thought I heard something!" a voice calls out from the top of the wall.
Kioku grabs Kero again. Then Kioku and Sabita both hurry to find a hiding place. When they're hidden, they wait and listen for sounds that meant it was safe to go out. Kioku was content to let Kero bite him, while he had him in his hand as long as it meant that he was quiet. There was silence for a time, then an arrow embedded itself in Sabita's shoulder. Sabita cries out in pain. Kioku is so shocked he lets go of Kero, who finally realized the gravity of the situation and stays silent.
Sabita puts a finger to his lips, motioning for Kioku and Kero to be quiet and drifts off in the river, face up with his eyes staring up blankly as if he were dead. Before he was out of the bushes, he mouths to Kioku, We will meet again. I'm certain of it.
Sabita lets his eyes glaze over, so it will make him seem all the more dead and float out into the currant. Another arrow embeds itself into Sabita's neck as soon as he is in sight. Kioku gasps in horror as Sabita floats sown the river. Kioku's vision starts to spin and he blacks out.
* * * * * * * * * * *
When Kioku first is aware of his surroundings, all he sees is darkness. He remembers all that happened that day all too clearly. As he climbs onto the road out of the river, which is just next to the bushes, he picks up the bag and hurries through the streets to the abandoned house he and Sabita had often slept in. He doesn't even remember the doll until he looks in the bag and Kero flies out. Kioku jumped back, letting a dagger slide from within his sleeve, almost as if it suddenly appeared there in his hand. It took a moment for Kioku to recognize Kero.
"Don't do that again," Kioku ordered Kero, as he slid the dagger back up in his sleeve.
Kero gave no sign that he heard, and so Kioku chose to just let it be. After a few minuets, Kioku asked Kero, "What are these cards? Some sort of strange magic?"
"The Sakura cards are a separate magic from all the other magic. They are magical cards that can create great destruction when they are left to do what they want. Which is why my first master, Clow Reed sealed them up in the cards. When they are released, they need to get captured and since you're the one that released them, you're the one who will need to capture them."
Kioku thought this over for a moment and replied, "Well, before we get into that, there are a few rules you'll need to follow if you're going to follow me around, as I can tell that you will be. When we're in the streets, you will need to act like you're nothing more than a mere doll. If you show any signs that you're enchanted, I'll be put to death for having a magical item and you'll be destroyed." Kioku motioned for Kero to be quiet, as he could tell Kero was about to say something, "Let me finish first. Next is do not harm any rat that may be in here. They are my friends and they help bring in money that allows me to eat. They also will not harm you if you don't harm them. Finally, you will only move around like you can while you're in here unless something comes up. Now you may speak."
"What do you mean about you'll be put to death and I'll be destroyed?" Kero asked.
"That's because anything that has magic in it is illegal. It has been years since anyone has openly shown that they had magic or even had a enchanted item," Kioku replied.
"How many years has it been?" Kero asked.
"I know that it's been for at least my entire life. I was told that it's been that way for even the leader's whole life, or at least a vast majority of it. To enforce the law against magic, anyone who has magic is killed as soon as they are discovered and are sentenced to death by the nearest lord that is around."
"How are people determined to have magic?"
"They have seekers who travel around the land who seem to either sniff out the magic or at least see it. I don't know, but it seems that there is one in the castle that I was in with Sabita when the cards flew every which way."
"Did any cards remain?"
"Yes, I didn't know what was happening and so I then grabbed the last one before it was out of my reach," Kioku said, pulling it out from the bag as it had fallen out of the book while it was in there.
Kero looks at it and then nods. "This is the Illusion card. There are many more cards that will need to be recaptured, otherwise there will be a great catastrophe." Kero thinks for a minute after he spoke before he added a little more to what he said. "Why is there not very much technology here?"
"This is always how it's been. I remember hearing though about a great explosion or something that happened several centuries ago. I think that that's when magic was realized to exist by everyone. So I think that may be when whatever technology there was then disappeared, but I think that it's also what made people to think that magic as being evil, as some think that magic is what created the explosion."
"I see," Kero replied, thinking on what he was just told. "Anyway, you'll need to come with me to recapture the cards."
"Why? If the cards will create a catastrophe, then I'd let it so that it would kill those who are in charge of the law and carrying it out. It's done nothing for me but make it miserable, as that's why my parents were killed, because they had magic. I wasn't even old enough to remember them before they were killed. My only brother is the seeker in the castle because of his magical ability. I only had Sabita to live with and only for the past five years, and now when I have the chance to strike I am told that I need to keep that from happening. Why should I keep that catastrophe from happening?" Kioku demanded angrily.
"Because if you don't, then even I can't tell where the catastrophe will occur. It could even start with this building you seem to live in."
Kioku couldn't argue the possibility of that and had to think about it in a way in which he would be willing to accept the responsibility of capturing the cards. Kioku then asked, "I don't care if the catastrophe happens around me. I would willingly sacrifice myself if it means that my enemies will be killed as well."
Kero thought about this for a moment then replied, "The catastrophe may not kill your enemies, they may be able to escape it somehow, or the catastrophe may be worse than you dying. Though, it could also be much simpler than that."
Kioku didn't like that thought and couldn't argue against that point, as he didn't know really anything about these cards. So, grudgingly, Kioku asked, "What will we then need to do to capture these cards?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
When they finally finished talking, Kioku then decided to leave for a minute and told Kero to get in the hood of the forest cloak that he was putting on, while slinging the bag that had the mirror and book from the vault. As they were leaving the abandoned house, Kioku told Kero to stay quiet, at this time everyone is suspicious of everyone and is not the time to begin to trust anyone except those who you trust completely already, but sometimes not even then. They moved silently through the city, under a bright half moon, and into a forest that seemed to be growing in the middle of the city. Kero asked what it was doing there, but Kioku ignored him and began weaving between the trees. Kioku didn't think of the giant penguin with the slide going down from its mouth, but Kero was surprised to see it in the forest.
"What is it?" Kioku asked, detecting Kero's surprise.
"I know where we are. This used to be a park here," Kero replied.
"I know where we are too. We are in the middle of the city of Tomoeda in the lands of Tokyo," Kioku stated, hardly even looking at where he was going as he had gone this way many times before.
Kero started to say something, but Kioku just grabbed Kero and whispered harshly, "We've talked too much already. No one is supposed to be in the forest and anyone caught in the forest is punished the same as if they had magic."
Kero was silent after that, but when Kioku released Kero, he whispered to Kioku hotly, "You could have told me sooner."
Kioku ignored Kero and let Kero fly back in the hood of his cloak and went through the forest. When they came to a cliff, Kero began looking around expectantly and Kioku began to climb down the cliff face and Kero flew down after him, a questioning look on his face. Kioku ignored Kero and midway down, they came to a cave right out to the open.
"This wasn't here when the cards were last released," Kero said, thoughtfully.
"This cave was cut by hand when I was just five. They needed a secure place to enter as well as an emergency exit in case the guards found out where the headquarters to the Thieves guild is," Kioku replied, dropping nimbly on the cave floor.
Kero followed Kioku wordlessly, eyeing the separate caves that branched off. The further they moved along, the more artificial the form of the cave took. Kero noticed some bags and barrels in some of the alcoves. "Why are we here now?" Kero asked.
"I need to report to the leader and talk with the mad seer that is down here," Kioku replied taking the hood down from his head. Kero automatically saw several people working around them, and began acting like a toy, remembering what Kioku had said earlier that evening. Kioku paused in front of two men who seemed to be sleeping, but when Kero focused on them, they only seemed to be acting asleep, as they waved Kioku on without even changing their position.
This process was repeated a few more times, until they came to a wide room that was well lit, but also very crowded. Kioku made his way through the crowd and was eventually standing in front of a table in which there were several people discussing something. When Kioku was noticed, they stopped discussing whatever it was that they were talking about and one man there asked Kioku, "So, what do you have to report?"
Kioku pulled out the mirror that he and Sabita had stolen from the vault and placed it on the table. "We recovered the mirror from the vault and made our way out of the castle successfully. Unfortunately, after we were outside the castle, we sere spotted going into bushes in the water and Sabita was shot twice by arrows. I do not know if he lives or not. He was swept away in the currant to save at least me."
"What is this doll that you now have on your shoulder?" the man asked.
"This Kereberus. I also took a book that apparently had some magical cards in it. The cards all flew out when I opened the book. I was able to keep one of those cards. Kereberus seems to be the guardian of the seal that keeps the cards in the book, which was broken when I opened the book," Kioku replied, as if he was being asked the question by the group at the table and not by the one man.
"It looks like any ordinary doll. If you are unable to prove that it is magical, we will then need to dismiss you from your duties," another at the table states.
Kioku looks at Kero and flings him into the fire. Automatically, Kero flies out of the fire and starts yelling at Kioku. "I will not stand for this treatment! If you do that one more time you will regret it!"
Kioku ignores Kero again and waits for a decision to be made by those around the table. A decision was made quickly. "Kioku. You have demonstrated your efforts for the guild and now may try the entrance tests to become a full member of the thieves' guild and will be assigned where deemed appropriate. You will also be given a chance to enter the Order of the Ivory Hand. That will only happen if you pass the first tests. The rest of the tests will be given as your skills improve. I have decided," the man that spoke to Kioku said.
Kioku nodded and walked back the way he came. "A moment," the man ordered. "The first tests are to be given now. The test will consist of you defeating this boy, Kokoro Zoge, with a dagger while he has a sword. If you pass the first time, you will be admitted as well as given a choice of your assignment and a possible place at this table when not called for some service."
The boy that was mentioned smiled when Kioku looked at him. Kioku nodded his head towards Zoge, noting Zoge being a year younger than him, and began walking towards the room for duels. Kero flew over to the man and asked, "What is this all about?"
The man replied, "Since all things that pertain to the culture of what used to be Japan has been outlawed as well as any old Asian culture piece, we need to learn what we can afford to show in public without drawing attention to ourselves."
"Why is all of that been banned and for how long has it been like that?" Kero asked.
"It has been that way ever since I was a little child, that is when Japan was subjugated. The old Asian countries were the only places where magic had not been outlawed. So, when the countries fell, the culture of the countries were seen as ways in which rebellion could be incited, even the cultural buildings were prohibited. The languages are all that remain of the cultures, the names of those who were allowed to live when the countries were conquered. Japan held out the longest, but in the end, they were outnumbered.
"The buildings were the first to go and then they built up castles as those that were built in European countries. We have done our best here. We are the only ones who know about the entrances and exits to the city that do not have guards to see who goes in and out. We are the rebellion that was worried about, but we keep them from knowing about us by calling ourselves the thieves' guild."
Kero was satisfied with these answers and flew over to Kioku in a room adjacent to the one that they were just in. Kioku was looking over different daggers and finally chose a slim long dagger with an emerald and ruby fastened on each side of the hilt. Kioku turns and looks Zoge over and notices the white cloak and the embroidered white hand on his breast that signifies he is in the Order of the Ivory Hand and high up in the order as well. Just him being in the order would mean that he had control over at least part of an element, but it seemed that he had control over at least one entire element.
The man came in the room and announced the test was beginning. Kero asked Kioku when he was circling Zoge, "Who is that man?"
"He is the Leader. He is also known as the King of Thieves. I do not know his real name so do not ask that," Kioku replied.
Kero was silent for a moment as Zoge slashed with the short sword while Kioku dodged the slashes, looking for any weakness that he could exploit. Suddenly, Kero felt something. "Kioku! There is a card nearby. You have to capture it!" Kero cried.
"I need to focus on this. Whatever it is will have to wait for later," Kioku replied, not taking his eyes off of Zoge.
Kero would have said more, but Kioku suddenly lunged at Zoge while rolling to be out of range of the short sword, when Zoge came around. As it was, Zoge had also dodged the slash of the dagger and was also out of range for Kioku to have a possible successful throw of the dagger, which could be used, though seldom worked. Kioku approached Zoge warily and began circling Zoge again. Though, Zoge began swinging the sword in ways that Kioku was hard pressed to dodge the swing and finally Kioku had to use the dagger to parry to avoid being hit with the sword. Kioku thought he suddenly saw the dagger glowing a pinkish light before the sword struck the dagger. As soon as the sword struck the dagger the sword shattered, not even chipping the dagger. There was complete silence in the room and the only sound that was made was from others working elsewhere in the cave. The Leader called out, "Then Kioku has passed the first test. Even though there was magic on the dagger he used, it could not have been placed on by him and so it does not count against him."
Kioku brought the dagger back to where he got it from and the weapons master said, "Keep it. It is custom that whenever someone passes their first test, they are to keep the dagger as proof that they are members of the thieves guild."
Kioku nods and puts the dagger in a sheath and stows it in his boot. Kioku turns to the Leader and asks, "I would also speak to the mad seer. Is that at all possible?"
"Yes, when you are done with speaking with the mad seer, then you shall be able to decide what assignment you would like, as it will need to be decided before you leave back to the abandoned house you live in right now."
Kioku nods and grabs Kero and starts walking through the caves again. Kioku ignores Kero's muffled voice and moves even deeper through the caves. When Kioku reaches the alcove that he was looking for he lets Kero go and Kero gasps for breath. "I thought I was gonna die!" Kero breathes.
Kioku says nothing to Kero. Kioku doesn't even look at Kero and instead asks the mad seer, "What do you see for me that the future does withhold from my own prying eyes that can not begin to see the entirety of the future?"
Even though the man lying on the ground in dirty clothes that resembled rags was facing the wall. He responds with, "Many tests await you, New member of the guild, First cardcaptor of this time, One who has the power to bring the dream of magic being safe to use again. When all tests are done, you will have one last test in which you will be tried in more than one way. Your powers are already almost to their extent, but will diminish and increase as you progress. You will not only gain the knowledge you seek, but allies that will be useful in the times to come. The stream has already divided. You were unable to keep the streams of friendship together, but you will find that the streams will merge again if you pass all of the tests that await you. The first of these many tests has already come before you. If you fail in realizing what this test is you will then face this same test again. None of these tests will last until you can complete them. You will always get another chance should you fail to even recognize the test." Kioku looks at Kero as Kero is just staring at the mad seer, who is seeming to just talk to the wall, yet knows far more than one would think he did. "You will be given guidance as you progress. You have one final power that will manifest itself as you get older. This power is the same that your brother has. This will tell you when most tests are nearby. When you those tests that you can use that power to find, you will receive an item that you can use. However, remember that the test will never be complete unless you seal it away with the proper instruction. If circumstances come that keep you from passing the test, then you will just have to accept it, and watch for the test to come again. You have been given a hard path to follow. You will need to use what you can. The more tests you pass, the weaker your own powers will be. They will not disappear entirely, but will just not be as effective. Your own power will increase, but will not give you anymore abilities than what you have already other than the seeking power. You will be the only cardcaptor in the thieves' guild, but not the only one."
Kioku nods and turns away without saying anything. Kero stares at Kioku walking away and then hurries to catch up. "What was all that?" Kero calls out.
"He is the mad seer. He can see the future perfectly clear, but by being able to do so, he has been driven completely mad. He is fine if you let him lie there. If this place is taken, he will rise and move to another location on his own and that is where we will set up our base. He is given food everyday, though he eats very little of it. When he tells someone their future, he can only tell them what he interprets the vision to be. We have to then determine what that will be," Kioku answers.
"What did he mean that 'the first test has already come before you?'" Kero asked.
"I do not know. I will need to think on that," Kioku replied, then suddenly thinking of something, he adds, "When I was taking my initiation test, you tried to tell me something, but I couldn't listen. What was it?"
Kero thinks for a moment. "I said that I sensed a card."
"Do you feel it now?"
"Yes. It seems to be very close, I think that it may be nearby."
"How close is nearby?" Kioku asked.
"This way," Kero replies, "You should get the key out."
Kioku then begins to chant, pulling out a key on a leather string, "Key which holds the power of the stars: reveal thy true form before me. By the contract, I, Kioku, command you! Release!"
The key grows into a small staff and Kioku swings the staff like he would a sword and positions it in front of himself as he moves down the corridor back to the room that he had just fought in. As they enter Kero flies over to the weapons and cries, pointing, "This is it!"
Kioku looks at where Kero is pointing and sees a long sword. Kioku then firmly plants his feet and then swings the staff in an arching motion, as if it was a sword, chanting, "Return to the guise you are meant to be in! Sakura Card!"
A card appears at the end of the staff. Kioku opens his hand and the card flies into his open hand. Kioku looks it over and asks Kero, "Now what do I do?"
"You need to seal the card by writing your name on it. If you don't the card may escape again."
Kioku nods and goes to find a quill and a bottle of ink to write his name on it as best he could.
Chapter 1
The book
Saino Kioku treads down the silent corridor. As he nears the corner of the corridor, he looks cautiously to see if there is anyone in sight. Seeing nothing, he motions to his partner to come on. They have finally reached the vault they were making their way to. Kioku breathed a sigh of relief. For the past hour they had made their way through the tower, hoping that there were not any guards. If they ever needed to speak to one another, they used the signs that the guild of thieves always used to stay silent and to identify one another.
Kioku was by the door to the vault first. Yuma Sabita was just a moment behind Kioku. They had been best friends for five years. They went with each other on every assignment one of them was given, as often happened. Even though they were still children, they could move around silently with ease.
Kioku has the door to the vault picked quickly and opened it slowly and only enough so that they could get through. Both of them had been in this vault several times before, but everything in the vault kept on going in and going out, but not always with the same people who had it moved in. Kioku and Sabita both looked thoroughly for what they were looking for. While Kioku was looking, he suddenly felt compelled to look at an odd book. There was a seal on it to keep it from being opened. Kioku could read and write very little, all of which Sabita had taught Kioku, even with that, he was still barely able to read what was written on the cover. What Kioku could clearly see was a winged lion on the cover above a sun that's held up by chains.
"I found it!" Sabita cried softly.
Kioku turned his head to Sabita to acknowledge that he heard. When Kioku looked back at the book, the seal was open. It must have been loose, Kioku thought opening it. He gasped when he saw that there were cards in the book. Kioku picked the card on the top of the stack up. It was thicker and heavier than he expected. He looked the card over.
"Kioku! Guards are coming! Should we go out a window?" Sabita asked.
Kioku turned to face Sabita, seeing him pocket an amulet. "No, it's too windy. We should just wait for the guards to pass."
Sabita nodded. Kioku turned his head back to face the book in time to see the card glowing right before a burst of wind came out of the card. Kioku was so startled that he let go of the card, which caused it to shoot through the ceiling with all of the other cards following. Kioku didn't think that it was good for this to be happening. So, Kioku reached for the column of cards shooting out from the book and was barely able to grab the last card.
"What was that?!" Sabita gasped.
"I- I don't know, but I think that even if it's windy out, we should try the window now. Who knows who saw that above us and I don't want to find out." Kioku said shoving the book in the bag w/ the mirror.
When they were certain that the guards had passed, they opened the door to the vault and moved down the corridor to the nearest window. As they were lowering at the windowsill, Kioku saw a boy walking past another corridor near them. Kioku ducked his head quickly, hoping they weren't seen. Sabita quickly followed suit, without asking anything, knowing this isn't the time for pranks.
I knew it was windy, Kioku thought to himself as they descended the wall, trying not to lose their grip, as the wind pulled at them. Kioku often checked their progress by seeing how far away the ground was. Even though it always made his head swim, he knew this was better so they could know if there were soldiers or guards waiting below, which would mean that they had been spotted. When they reached the ground, they made their way to nearby bushes to plan their way out.
"What did you take? " Sabita whispered to Kioku.
"A book. I don't even know what happened to cause all of the cards to do what they did," Kioku replied, just as quietly.
"Let's look at the book. It may tell us more than what we know," Sabita said, opening the bag.
When the bas was opened, a doll flew out of the bag. "Who put me in there!?" the doll demanded.
Kioku and Sabita were dumbstruck. They couldn't even explain where the doll came from. Sabita was the first to recover, as the doll glared at them. "We didn't even know that you were in there. All that we knew were in the bag were a book and mirror."
"This book?" the doll asked, as the book that had contained the cards floated out of the bag.
"Yes. That's the book we put in the bag after the cards flew out of it," Sabita said.
"Wait, the book's different. There used to be a winged lion on it," Kioku said, quickly.
"Wh-," the doll began.
"This must not be an ordinary book," Sabita interrupted. Kioku nodded in reply.
"What do you mean the cards flew out of the book?" the doll cried.
"Quiet!" Sabita snapped. "We can't afford to be loud until we're back at the hideout."
"Who are you?" Kioku asked, while searching for openings in the guards, in which they might be able to sneak through.
"I'm Kereberus. Guardian of the Seal!"
"What seal?" Sabita asked.
"The seal on the Book that keeps the Sakura cards from being released on the world," came the reply.
"Is there nothing we can call you that isn't so long?" Kioku inquired impatiently, putting the book back in the bag.
"My last master called me Kero," Kereberus replied.
"Kioku, we need to go. We can swim through the water gate. The guards have just left that area. If we hurry, we can make it out before they return," Sabita informed Kioku.
"Let's go," Kioku said, then turned to Kero. " Stay quiet, unless you have a death wish, magical doll."
Kero flew into a rage at that, but before he could say anything, Sabita and Kioku were already swimming towards the water gate. Kero hurried after them and finally caught up to them right as they reached the gate.
"We need to dive under the water and you're coming with us, magical doll. You will answer our questions when we get to our shelter for the night," Sabita tells Kero, right before Kioku grabbed Kero and they dove underwater and swam through the gate and the tunnel until they were outside the wall. As soon as they reached the surface, Kioku let go of Kero.
"Why did you do that!?" Kero shrieked.
"Quiet!" Sabita hissed.
"I thought I heard something!" a voice calls out from the top of the wall.
Kioku grabs Kero again. Then Kioku and Sabita both hurry to find a hiding place. When they're hidden, they wait and listen for sounds that meant it was safe to go out. Kioku was content to let Kero bite him, while he had him in his hand as long as it meant that he was quiet. There was silence for a time, then an arrow embedded itself in Sabita's shoulder. Sabita cries out in pain. Kioku is so shocked he lets go of Kero, who finally realized the gravity of the situation and stays silent.
Sabita puts a finger to his lips, motioning for Kioku and Kero to be quiet and drifts off in the river, face up with his eyes staring up blankly as if he were dead. Before he was out of the bushes, he mouths to Kioku, We will meet again. I'm certain of it.
Sabita lets his eyes glaze over, so it will make him seem all the more dead and float out into the currant. Another arrow embeds itself into Sabita's neck as soon as he is in sight. Kioku gasps in horror as Sabita floats sown the river. Kioku's vision starts to spin and he blacks out.
* * * * * * * * * * *
When Kioku first is aware of his surroundings, all he sees is darkness. He remembers all that happened that day all too clearly. As he climbs onto the road out of the river, which is just next to the bushes, he picks up the bag and hurries through the streets to the abandoned house he and Sabita had often slept in. He doesn't even remember the doll until he looks in the bag and Kero flies out. Kioku jumped back, letting a dagger slide from within his sleeve, almost as if it suddenly appeared there in his hand. It took a moment for Kioku to recognize Kero.
"Don't do that again," Kioku ordered Kero, as he slid the dagger back up in his sleeve.
Kero gave no sign that he heard, and so Kioku chose to just let it be. After a few minuets, Kioku asked Kero, "What are these cards? Some sort of strange magic?"
"The Sakura cards are a separate magic from all the other magic. They are magical cards that can create great destruction when they are left to do what they want. Which is why my first master, Clow Reed sealed them up in the cards. When they are released, they need to get captured and since you're the one that released them, you're the one who will need to capture them."
Kioku thought this over for a moment and replied, "Well, before we get into that, there are a few rules you'll need to follow if you're going to follow me around, as I can tell that you will be. When we're in the streets, you will need to act like you're nothing more than a mere doll. If you show any signs that you're enchanted, I'll be put to death for having a magical item and you'll be destroyed." Kioku motioned for Kero to be quiet, as he could tell Kero was about to say something, "Let me finish first. Next is do not harm any rat that may be in here. They are my friends and they help bring in money that allows me to eat. They also will not harm you if you don't harm them. Finally, you will only move around like you can while you're in here unless something comes up. Now you may speak."
"What do you mean about you'll be put to death and I'll be destroyed?" Kero asked.
"That's because anything that has magic in it is illegal. It has been years since anyone has openly shown that they had magic or even had a enchanted item," Kioku replied.
"How many years has it been?" Kero asked.
"I know that it's been for at least my entire life. I was told that it's been that way for even the leader's whole life, or at least a vast majority of it. To enforce the law against magic, anyone who has magic is killed as soon as they are discovered and are sentenced to death by the nearest lord that is around."
"How are people determined to have magic?"
"They have seekers who travel around the land who seem to either sniff out the magic or at least see it. I don't know, but it seems that there is one in the castle that I was in with Sabita when the cards flew every which way."
"Did any cards remain?"
"Yes, I didn't know what was happening and so I then grabbed the last one before it was out of my reach," Kioku said, pulling it out from the bag as it had fallen out of the book while it was in there.
Kero looks at it and then nods. "This is the Illusion card. There are many more cards that will need to be recaptured, otherwise there will be a great catastrophe." Kero thinks for a minute after he spoke before he added a little more to what he said. "Why is there not very much technology here?"
"This is always how it's been. I remember hearing though about a great explosion or something that happened several centuries ago. I think that that's when magic was realized to exist by everyone. So I think that may be when whatever technology there was then disappeared, but I think that it's also what made people to think that magic as being evil, as some think that magic is what created the explosion."
"I see," Kero replied, thinking on what he was just told. "Anyway, you'll need to come with me to recapture the cards."
"Why? If the cards will create a catastrophe, then I'd let it so that it would kill those who are in charge of the law and carrying it out. It's done nothing for me but make it miserable, as that's why my parents were killed, because they had magic. I wasn't even old enough to remember them before they were killed. My only brother is the seeker in the castle because of his magical ability. I only had Sabita to live with and only for the past five years, and now when I have the chance to strike I am told that I need to keep that from happening. Why should I keep that catastrophe from happening?" Kioku demanded angrily.
"Because if you don't, then even I can't tell where the catastrophe will occur. It could even start with this building you seem to live in."
Kioku couldn't argue the possibility of that and had to think about it in a way in which he would be willing to accept the responsibility of capturing the cards. Kioku then asked, "I don't care if the catastrophe happens around me. I would willingly sacrifice myself if it means that my enemies will be killed as well."
Kero thought about this for a moment then replied, "The catastrophe may not kill your enemies, they may be able to escape it somehow, or the catastrophe may be worse than you dying. Though, it could also be much simpler than that."
Kioku didn't like that thought and couldn't argue against that point, as he didn't know really anything about these cards. So, grudgingly, Kioku asked, "What will we then need to do to capture these cards?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
When they finally finished talking, Kioku then decided to leave for a minute and told Kero to get in the hood of the forest cloak that he was putting on, while slinging the bag that had the mirror and book from the vault. As they were leaving the abandoned house, Kioku told Kero to stay quiet, at this time everyone is suspicious of everyone and is not the time to begin to trust anyone except those who you trust completely already, but sometimes not even then. They moved silently through the city, under a bright half moon, and into a forest that seemed to be growing in the middle of the city. Kero asked what it was doing there, but Kioku ignored him and began weaving between the trees. Kioku didn't think of the giant penguin with the slide going down from its mouth, but Kero was surprised to see it in the forest.
"What is it?" Kioku asked, detecting Kero's surprise.
"I know where we are. This used to be a park here," Kero replied.
"I know where we are too. We are in the middle of the city of Tomoeda in the lands of Tokyo," Kioku stated, hardly even looking at where he was going as he had gone this way many times before.
Kero started to say something, but Kioku just grabbed Kero and whispered harshly, "We've talked too much already. No one is supposed to be in the forest and anyone caught in the forest is punished the same as if they had magic."
Kero was silent after that, but when Kioku released Kero, he whispered to Kioku hotly, "You could have told me sooner."
Kioku ignored Kero and let Kero fly back in the hood of his cloak and went through the forest. When they came to a cliff, Kero began looking around expectantly and Kioku began to climb down the cliff face and Kero flew down after him, a questioning look on his face. Kioku ignored Kero and midway down, they came to a cave right out to the open.
"This wasn't here when the cards were last released," Kero said, thoughtfully.
"This cave was cut by hand when I was just five. They needed a secure place to enter as well as an emergency exit in case the guards found out where the headquarters to the Thieves guild is," Kioku replied, dropping nimbly on the cave floor.
Kero followed Kioku wordlessly, eyeing the separate caves that branched off. The further they moved along, the more artificial the form of the cave took. Kero noticed some bags and barrels in some of the alcoves. "Why are we here now?" Kero asked.
"I need to report to the leader and talk with the mad seer that is down here," Kioku replied taking the hood down from his head. Kero automatically saw several people working around them, and began acting like a toy, remembering what Kioku had said earlier that evening. Kioku paused in front of two men who seemed to be sleeping, but when Kero focused on them, they only seemed to be acting asleep, as they waved Kioku on without even changing their position.
This process was repeated a few more times, until they came to a wide room that was well lit, but also very crowded. Kioku made his way through the crowd and was eventually standing in front of a table in which there were several people discussing something. When Kioku was noticed, they stopped discussing whatever it was that they were talking about and one man there asked Kioku, "So, what do you have to report?"
Kioku pulled out the mirror that he and Sabita had stolen from the vault and placed it on the table. "We recovered the mirror from the vault and made our way out of the castle successfully. Unfortunately, after we were outside the castle, we sere spotted going into bushes in the water and Sabita was shot twice by arrows. I do not know if he lives or not. He was swept away in the currant to save at least me."
"What is this doll that you now have on your shoulder?" the man asked.
"This Kereberus. I also took a book that apparently had some magical cards in it. The cards all flew out when I opened the book. I was able to keep one of those cards. Kereberus seems to be the guardian of the seal that keeps the cards in the book, which was broken when I opened the book," Kioku replied, as if he was being asked the question by the group at the table and not by the one man.
"It looks like any ordinary doll. If you are unable to prove that it is magical, we will then need to dismiss you from your duties," another at the table states.
Kioku looks at Kero and flings him into the fire. Automatically, Kero flies out of the fire and starts yelling at Kioku. "I will not stand for this treatment! If you do that one more time you will regret it!"
Kioku ignores Kero again and waits for a decision to be made by those around the table. A decision was made quickly. "Kioku. You have demonstrated your efforts for the guild and now may try the entrance tests to become a full member of the thieves' guild and will be assigned where deemed appropriate. You will also be given a chance to enter the Order of the Ivory Hand. That will only happen if you pass the first tests. The rest of the tests will be given as your skills improve. I have decided," the man that spoke to Kioku said.
Kioku nodded and walked back the way he came. "A moment," the man ordered. "The first tests are to be given now. The test will consist of you defeating this boy, Kokoro Zoge, with a dagger while he has a sword. If you pass the first time, you will be admitted as well as given a choice of your assignment and a possible place at this table when not called for some service."
The boy that was mentioned smiled when Kioku looked at him. Kioku nodded his head towards Zoge, noting Zoge being a year younger than him, and began walking towards the room for duels. Kero flew over to the man and asked, "What is this all about?"
The man replied, "Since all things that pertain to the culture of what used to be Japan has been outlawed as well as any old Asian culture piece, we need to learn what we can afford to show in public without drawing attention to ourselves."
"Why is all of that been banned and for how long has it been like that?" Kero asked.
"It has been that way ever since I was a little child, that is when Japan was subjugated. The old Asian countries were the only places where magic had not been outlawed. So, when the countries fell, the culture of the countries were seen as ways in which rebellion could be incited, even the cultural buildings were prohibited. The languages are all that remain of the cultures, the names of those who were allowed to live when the countries were conquered. Japan held out the longest, but in the end, they were outnumbered.
"The buildings were the first to go and then they built up castles as those that were built in European countries. We have done our best here. We are the only ones who know about the entrances and exits to the city that do not have guards to see who goes in and out. We are the rebellion that was worried about, but we keep them from knowing about us by calling ourselves the thieves' guild."
Kero was satisfied with these answers and flew over to Kioku in a room adjacent to the one that they were just in. Kioku was looking over different daggers and finally chose a slim long dagger with an emerald and ruby fastened on each side of the hilt. Kioku turns and looks Zoge over and notices the white cloak and the embroidered white hand on his breast that signifies he is in the Order of the Ivory Hand and high up in the order as well. Just him being in the order would mean that he had control over at least part of an element, but it seemed that he had control over at least one entire element.
The man came in the room and announced the test was beginning. Kero asked Kioku when he was circling Zoge, "Who is that man?"
"He is the Leader. He is also known as the King of Thieves. I do not know his real name so do not ask that," Kioku replied.
Kero was silent for a moment as Zoge slashed with the short sword while Kioku dodged the slashes, looking for any weakness that he could exploit. Suddenly, Kero felt something. "Kioku! There is a card nearby. You have to capture it!" Kero cried.
"I need to focus on this. Whatever it is will have to wait for later," Kioku replied, not taking his eyes off of Zoge.
Kero would have said more, but Kioku suddenly lunged at Zoge while rolling to be out of range of the short sword, when Zoge came around. As it was, Zoge had also dodged the slash of the dagger and was also out of range for Kioku to have a possible successful throw of the dagger, which could be used, though seldom worked. Kioku approached Zoge warily and began circling Zoge again. Though, Zoge began swinging the sword in ways that Kioku was hard pressed to dodge the swing and finally Kioku had to use the dagger to parry to avoid being hit with the sword. Kioku thought he suddenly saw the dagger glowing a pinkish light before the sword struck the dagger. As soon as the sword struck the dagger the sword shattered, not even chipping the dagger. There was complete silence in the room and the only sound that was made was from others working elsewhere in the cave. The Leader called out, "Then Kioku has passed the first test. Even though there was magic on the dagger he used, it could not have been placed on by him and so it does not count against him."
Kioku brought the dagger back to where he got it from and the weapons master said, "Keep it. It is custom that whenever someone passes their first test, they are to keep the dagger as proof that they are members of the thieves guild."
Kioku nods and puts the dagger in a sheath and stows it in his boot. Kioku turns to the Leader and asks, "I would also speak to the mad seer. Is that at all possible?"
"Yes, when you are done with speaking with the mad seer, then you shall be able to decide what assignment you would like, as it will need to be decided before you leave back to the abandoned house you live in right now."
Kioku nods and grabs Kero and starts walking through the caves again. Kioku ignores Kero's muffled voice and moves even deeper through the caves. When Kioku reaches the alcove that he was looking for he lets Kero go and Kero gasps for breath. "I thought I was gonna die!" Kero breathes.
Kioku says nothing to Kero. Kioku doesn't even look at Kero and instead asks the mad seer, "What do you see for me that the future does withhold from my own prying eyes that can not begin to see the entirety of the future?"
Even though the man lying on the ground in dirty clothes that resembled rags was facing the wall. He responds with, "Many tests await you, New member of the guild, First cardcaptor of this time, One who has the power to bring the dream of magic being safe to use again. When all tests are done, you will have one last test in which you will be tried in more than one way. Your powers are already almost to their extent, but will diminish and increase as you progress. You will not only gain the knowledge you seek, but allies that will be useful in the times to come. The stream has already divided. You were unable to keep the streams of friendship together, but you will find that the streams will merge again if you pass all of the tests that await you. The first of these many tests has already come before you. If you fail in realizing what this test is you will then face this same test again. None of these tests will last until you can complete them. You will always get another chance should you fail to even recognize the test." Kioku looks at Kero as Kero is just staring at the mad seer, who is seeming to just talk to the wall, yet knows far more than one would think he did. "You will be given guidance as you progress. You have one final power that will manifest itself as you get older. This power is the same that your brother has. This will tell you when most tests are nearby. When you those tests that you can use that power to find, you will receive an item that you can use. However, remember that the test will never be complete unless you seal it away with the proper instruction. If circumstances come that keep you from passing the test, then you will just have to accept it, and watch for the test to come again. You have been given a hard path to follow. You will need to use what you can. The more tests you pass, the weaker your own powers will be. They will not disappear entirely, but will just not be as effective. Your own power will increase, but will not give you anymore abilities than what you have already other than the seeking power. You will be the only cardcaptor in the thieves' guild, but not the only one."
Kioku nods and turns away without saying anything. Kero stares at Kioku walking away and then hurries to catch up. "What was all that?" Kero calls out.
"He is the mad seer. He can see the future perfectly clear, but by being able to do so, he has been driven completely mad. He is fine if you let him lie there. If this place is taken, he will rise and move to another location on his own and that is where we will set up our base. He is given food everyday, though he eats very little of it. When he tells someone their future, he can only tell them what he interprets the vision to be. We have to then determine what that will be," Kioku answers.
"What did he mean that 'the first test has already come before you?'" Kero asked.
"I do not know. I will need to think on that," Kioku replied, then suddenly thinking of something, he adds, "When I was taking my initiation test, you tried to tell me something, but I couldn't listen. What was it?"
Kero thinks for a moment. "I said that I sensed a card."
"Do you feel it now?"
"Yes. It seems to be very close, I think that it may be nearby."
"How close is nearby?" Kioku asked.
"This way," Kero replies, "You should get the key out."
Kioku then begins to chant, pulling out a key on a leather string, "Key which holds the power of the stars: reveal thy true form before me. By the contract, I, Kioku, command you! Release!"
The key grows into a small staff and Kioku swings the staff like he would a sword and positions it in front of himself as he moves down the corridor back to the room that he had just fought in. As they enter Kero flies over to the weapons and cries, pointing, "This is it!"
Kioku looks at where Kero is pointing and sees a long sword. Kioku then firmly plants his feet and then swings the staff in an arching motion, as if it was a sword, chanting, "Return to the guise you are meant to be in! Sakura Card!"
A card appears at the end of the staff. Kioku opens his hand and the card flies into his open hand. Kioku looks it over and asks Kero, "Now what do I do?"
"You need to seal the card by writing your name on it. If you don't the card may escape again."
Kioku nods and goes to find a quill and a bottle of ink to write his name on it as best he could.